Shloka 22
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 90 — Pūror Vaṃśa, Kuru-Pravara, and the Janamejaya Line
Genealogical Recitation
अहो कष्ट क्षीणपुण्यो ययाति: पतत्यसौ पुण्यकृत् पुण्यकीर्ति: । तानब्रुवं पतमानस्ततोऊहं सतां मध्ये निपतेयं कथं नु,“अहो! बड़े कष्टकी बात है कि पवित्र कीर्तिवाले ये पुण्यकर्मा महाराज ययाति पुण्य क्षीण होनेके कारण नीचे गिर रहे हैं।” तब नीचे गिरते हुए मैंने उनसे पूछा--'देवताओ! मैं साधु पुरुषोंके बीच गिर, इसका क्या उपाय है!”
aho kaṣṭa kṣīṇapuṇyo yayātiḥ pataty asau puṇyakṛt puṇyakīrtiḥ | tān abruvaṃ patamānas tato 'haṃ satāṃ madhye nipateyaṃ kathaṃ nu ||
Sinabi ni Aṣṭaka: “Ay, napakasaklap! Si Haring Yayāti—kilala sa banal na dangal at tanyag sa matuwid na gawa—ay bumabagsak sapagkat naubos ang kanyang kabutihang-naipon.” Habang ako man ay bumabagsak, kinausap ko ang mga nilalang na iyon at nagtanong: “Paano ako mahuhulog sa piling ng mga banal at mararangal? Ano ang paraan?”
अष्टक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even great merit is finite; when puṇya is exhausted, one falls from heavenly status. The verse highlights the ethical urgency of seeking association with the virtuous (sat-saṅga) as a higher refuge than merely enjoying the fruits of merit.
Aṣṭaka witnesses King Yayāti falling due to depleted merit. As Aṣṭaka himself is also falling, he urgently asks how he might fall among the virtuous—seeking a way to land in the company of good people rather than into a lower, painful condition.